5 Tips for Applying for Financial Aid

The bulky, paper FAFSA of yesteryear is a relic that some of today's college students have never even seen. Most sources of financial aid allow you to file online, and user-friendly Web pages help you make sure you fill everything out. Filing electronically is also faster, and you don't have to worry about your paperwork getting lost in the mail. Just be sure to keep a record of your applications, and complete or save your submission before you exit your browser. Keep in mind that most deadlines are for completed submissions, not for applications in progress [source: Free Application for Federal Student Aid].

Online Applications

Many online financial aid applications let you create a profile and save your submissions so you can finish them later. Make sure you write down any username and password combinations so you won't have trouble logging in.